Electromotor



pri 1948. E. E, GREGORY I 2,439,243

ELECTROMOTOR Filed Oct. 4, 1943 I 2 Sheets Sheet l I6 34/ 42 I4 52 Eu/ 5GREG/Jr? r j 62 63 23 I7 lNVENTOR BYF ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 6, 1948UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTROMOTOR Eli E Gregory, Millington, N.J., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Gregory Motors, 1110., Brooklyn,N. Y., a corporation of New York Application Cictolier 4, 1943, SerialNo. 504,846

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to electric motors and moreparticularly to electromotors of the class adapted to produce anoscillating motion.

Devices of this type are widely used for producing reciprocal motion ofparts of advertising posters or displays ior the purpose of attractingattention thereto. Such devices are described in detail in ReissuePatent No. 21,579, reissued September 24, 1940, to which reference willbe hereinafter made.

Among the objects of the present invention lies the provision ofimproved electromotor structure wherein by reason of the novelconstruction, organization and arrangement of the parts lower cost ofproduction and lower cost of operation are obtained.

Another more specific object herein lies in the provision of novelelectrical circuit controlling means in which the solenoid is energizedfor only a relatively short period of time, and this energization iscorrelated and synchronized with the oscillation of the oscillator andmore particularly the armature thereof.

Another object herein lies in the structure of the class described whichis simple in construction, has few parts and in which the parts subjectto wear are reduced so that the device may be operated for relativelylong periods without attention for oiling, adjusting or other servicing.

Another object herein lies in the provision of an electromotor deviceespecially adapted for actuating animated advertising devices and whichis so constructed that it can be dismantled from one advertising deviceand applied to another by persons who do not have more than ordinarymechanical skill.

Another object herein lies in the provision of electromotor structurefor actuating advertising devices and which is capable of being adjustedin position with relation to such devices so that the length of thestroke of the oscillator may be correlated to the desired length of thestroke of the moving part in the advertising device.

A still further object herein lies in the provision of a device of theclass described which may where desired be self-starting.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will more fullyappear in the progress of this disclosure and be pointed out in theappended claims.

In the drawings, in which similar reference characters designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views in which:

Figure 1 is a rear elevational view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention and as the same would appear applied to the rear surface of anadvertising device (not shown).

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure l as might be seen from a planedisposed parallel to and above the plane 22 on Figure 1. In this figurethe parts are shown with the electrical switch contacts in a closedposition thereof.

Figure 3 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical circuit.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view taken similarly to Figure 2 butshowing electrical switch contacts in an open position thereof.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen from the plane5- 3 on Figure 2.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen fromthe plane B-t on Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken similarly toFigure 6 but showing a second embodiment of the invention.

Turning now to the first embodiment of the invention as illustrated inFigures 1 to 6 inclusive, the electromotor is generally indicated byreference character It and comprises broadly a base II, a solenoid iii,a frame iii, an axle M, an oscillator i5 including an armature i5 and anarmature carrier ii, main supply conductors l8 and i9, auxiliaryconductors and ii, an electrical switch 22, and an electrical switchcontrol element 23.

The base ii may take the form of a sheet of planar material having afiat body portion 25 and a semi-cylindrical body portion The up per andlower longitudinal edges of the base H are provided with forwardly andinwardly bent flanges 2B and 27. The flanges 26 and 2-? serve tostrengthen the body portion 2t; on the semicylindrical body portion saidflanges serving to prevent axial or vertical displacement of thesolenoid I2. The base ii may be composed of any suitabie material as,for example, brass, aluminum, or steel, and may be provided with aplurality of orifices 28 which may be penetrated by screws (not shown)to secure the forward surface 29 against the rear surface of a poster orother advertising device (not shown).

The solenoid I2 may be of a well known construction having a directcurrent resistance sufficiently high to enable the device to be inconstant use with an E. M. F. of the largest expected value, forexample, volts. Since the solenoid l2 has electri current passingthrough it for only relatively short intervals, there arecorrespondingly longer intervals during which the heat produced thereinmay be dissipated, and this may be taken into account in the design ofthe solenoidal coil, with resultant economies in cost of materials andlabor. The solenoid I2 is provided in the usual manner with an axiallydisposed centrally hollow cylinder or channel 35, the effective diameterof which is sufficient to permit the arcuate passage therethrough of thearmature it. The solenoid I2 is maintained within the pocket formed bythe semi-cylindrical portion 25 and the upper and lower flanges 25 and27 by the frame l3 in a manner to be pointed out.

The frame I3 is preferably composed of a relatively rigid material suchas metal and is secured to the rear surface 3| of the base H in anysuitable manner as, for example, by the screws 32 and 33. Thus as bestseen in Figure 2 the frame it is of substantially U-shape having asolenoid retaining portion 35, a base plate engaging portion 35 and arear axle supporting portion 35. The juxtaposed free ends of theportions 35 and 3% are provided with aligned orifices which act asjournals for the axle Hi.

The oscillator 95 includes the armature l and the armature carrier H.The armature I6 is of semi-circular shape and is composed of magneticmaterial such as steel or iron. As seen in Figure l, the free end S! ofthe armature it may be disposed within the cylinder 30 of the solenoidI2 when the device is one position of rest. The other end 38 of thearmature I6 is secured to the armature carrier I! at the bight portion39 thereof in any suitable manner as, for example, by welding. Thecarrier I? is of substantially V- shape including the portions 50 and M.The juxtaposed free ends of the portions t8 and ii are provided withaligned orifices which are penetrated by the axle M.

Disposed upon the axle l4 and between the opposed portions all and ii ofthe armature carrier I? is the electrical switch control element 23. Theelement 23 is preferably formed from a strip of relatively stiffmaterial as, for example, metal and is generally U-shaped as viewed fromabove. The central body portion 42 is preferably planar and is providedwith an integral bent switch actuating member 43. Thus the member 43 maytake the form of an integral lug or tab projecting from one surface 54of the element 23 and as best seen in Figure 6 of the accompanying draw-'lngs, such lug or tab may be initially formed by making a U-shaped cut65. The member 53 is rotated about a generally horizontal axis, that isto say an axis perpendicular to the surface 44 to provide a relativelyupper switch closing surface 46 and a relatively lower switch openingsurface 3?. The forward end of the element 23 is provided with twoconsecutive right angled bends forming a bearing portion 48 and the setscrew supporting portion 4a. The set screw 55 threadedl penetrates theorifice in the portion 39 and is adapted to secure the portion 49 andhence the element 23 against rotation with respect to the axle is. Therear end of the element 23 is provided with a right angled bend followedby an obtuse bend forming the bearing portion 5i and the anchoringportion 52. The bearing portions 58 and 5! are each provided withinteraligned orifices through which the axle l4 penetrates. Theanchoring portion 52 is provided with a bent lug 53 which engages acorrespondingly positioned orifice 54 in the portion ll of the carrierll. By virtue of the structure just described, that is to say the lug 53and the setscrew 55; the carrier ii, the electrical switch controlelement 23,

and the axle I l rotate as a unit, being trunnloned in the free ends ofthe portions 35 and 35.

The electrical switch 22 includes broadly, a relatively stationary leaf55 and a relatively movable leaf 5?. The leaves 55 and 51 may becomposed of Phosphor bronze or similar material having a relatively highdegree of resiliency and low electrical resistance, and these leaves maybe provided at the relatively free terminals thereof with contact points58 and 59. The points 58 and 59 may be composed of suitably lowresistance material having a comparatively small affinity for oxygen,for example, gold, coin silver, or tungsten. The switch 22 is oftelephone jack type construction and includes an insulating spacer 5i!and insulating washer-bushings generally indicated by referencecharacter 6i. The latter may be of the extruded orificed type so thatthe leaves 58 and 5e are insulated from each other and from the screws32 and 33 upon which they are supported. The relatively fixed portionsof the leaves 55 and 57 are thus maintained in operative position by thenuts 62 and 63 on the rear ends of the screws 32 and 53. The relativelyfree portion of the leaf 5? is offset by a bend toward the relativelystationary leaf 55 in such manner that when the leaves 56 and 51 are inan unstressed condition the contact points 53 and 59 do not electricallycontact each other. The movable leaf 5?, as best seen in Figure 5, hasan angularly edged terminal 64, the edges of which form an angle ofsubstantially and this terminal is adapted to act as a followerprojection which is oscillated in directions substantially parallel tothe axis of the axle M by the switch actuating member 53 previouslydescribed.

By virtue of the angular position of the upper surface 46, when thissurface moving upwardly as viewed in Figure 6 strikes against thefollower 54, said follower together with the movable leaf 5? is movedtoward the leaf 55 causing an electrical contact to take place betweenthe contact points 53 and 59. Upward movement of the surface it asviewed in Figure 6 is caused to take place when the oscillator l5rotates in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 1, 2 or 5.

After-the switch actuating member 43 passes upwardly beyond the terminal54, said terminal as well as the movable portion of the leaf 5? springsback to its normal unstressed condition so that the circuit through thecontact points 58 and 59 is broken.

By virtue of the angular position of the lower surface d1 of the switchactuating member 43, when this surface moving downwardly as viewed inFigure 6 strikes against the terminal follower 66, said followertogether with the movable leaf 5! is moved away from the leaf 55 thusmaintaining the open circuit condition existing between the contactpoints 58 and 59. Downward movement of the surface 57 as viewed inFigure 6 is caused to take place when the oscillator 15 rotates in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in Figures 1 and 5.

The axle I4 is provided with an integral head 65 which has an outercylindrical surface 61 which is roughened or knurled. This knurledsurface is adapted to frictionally engage a supporting arm ll, similarto the supporting arm 22 in Reissue Patent No. 21,579, and as thereshown may be connected to any suitable movable part on the advertisingdevice with which the present electromotor may be utilized. The washer58 and the Washer 69 are preferably rotatably disposed on the axle i land in addition to properly positioning the parts also serve to reducefriction thereat when the axle is rotated. The axle It is maintained inoperative position by the cotter pin id. It may be noted at this pointthat the cotter pin It is not necessary in order to maintain the axle idin operative position when the set screw clamps said axle. The use ofthe pin id, however, is desirable in that the position of the oscillator55 may be ciroumferentially adjusted with relation to the axle l4 andthe parts will be maintained in associated relationship by said pin.

In use the base i l is placed upon the rear surface of a relativelyvertically disposed poster or advertising display (not shown) andsecured thereto in any suitable manner as, for example by screws (alsonot shown) penetrating the orifices 28 in said plate. The normalposition of rest taken by the oscillator [5 will depend upon theposition of the arm II and the relative weight of any other movableadvertising device part (not shown) secured to said arm. The oscillator15 may, for example, take a position of rest shown in Figure l. Ihe baseI! is then so positioned that the portions 35 and 36 of the frame iiiare in substantial alignment with the portions it and ii of the carrierii. In such a position the switch actuating member 43 is adapted to movethe movable leaf 51 to the circuit closing position thereof as seen inFigure 2. Obviously if by reason of the weight of the advertising partcarried on the arm '5! the position of the oscillator i5 is changed, thebase ll may be correspondingly changed.

With the parts thus positioned (see Figure l) and when the main supplyconductors l8 and it are connected to a suitable source of electricalenergy, the solenoid l2 becomes energized and attracts the armature It.This attraction causes the armature it to move in a clockwise directionin Figure 1 and moves it suificiently to cause the switch actuatingmember 43 to pass upwardly beyond the follower terminal at. The solenoidl2 then becomes deenergized owing to the opening of the circuit and thearmature 16 travels in an opposite or counterclockwise direction. Apendulum-like action of the oscillator I5 is thus begun and as soon asthe oscillator l5 returns to the position shown by the full lines inFigure 1 the circuit is again closed. The amplitude and frequency of theoscillations of the oscillator l5 Will be governed by factors well knownin the art to which the present invention relates, such as the magneticforce of the solenoid 12, the weight and distribution of the weight ofthe oscillator to, friction, and load. An extreme position of swing inwhich the armature it has passed almost completely through the solenoidI2 is indicated by the dot-dash lines on Figure 1.

After the source of the electricity is disconnected from the mainconductors I8 and I9 as, for example when this device is used inconnection with a window display and an automatic clock switchdisconnects the circuit at 'a predetermined time, after the inertiaremaining in the oscillator 15 has been dissipated, the oscillator comesto a position of rest, substantially that shown in the full lines ofFigure l and will either stop in a position in which the surface 46engages the follower terminal 64 or one in which the surface a! does s0.If the surface 46 engages the follower 64, then the device will stop ina position in which the switch 22 is closed. If, on the other hand, theelectromotor it! stops with the surface 47 in contact with the terminalfollower 84, then the switch 22 will be in an open position. In thelatter event it is necessary to start the device by manually orotherwise imparting some motion to the oscillator 15 about the axle l4so that the series of oscillations may begin and continue as describedabove.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention ilustrated inFigure 7, for the purpose of avoiding needless repetitions partscorresponding to those of the first embodiment are given the samereference characters with the addition of a prefix l. The secondembodiment differs from the first embodiment in the shape and positionof the switch actuating member M3 in which the switch closing surface M6is disposed at a greater angle with relation to the plane of motion ofthe member (43 than is the surface I41. The result of this constructionis that the wedging action of the surface I46 has a lesser mechanicaladvantage than does the surface I i'l so that after the current to themain conductors is broken, as the inertia of the oscillator M5 becomesdissipated, the oscillator will come to a position of rest in which thesurface 545 engages the follower terminal 265. The difference inangularity between the surfaces Hi5 and MI is sufficient so that if theoscillator H5 has enough inertia to close the switch and move the memberM3 thereabove, then there will be sufiicient inertia for the oscillatorH5 to move the member M3 down past the terminal follower I64 on itsreturn swing and on its next upward swing the member I43 will be stoppedagainst the terminal I54. The resiliency of the moveable leaf I5! isgreat enough so that the weight of the oscillator H5 is sufficient toclose the contacts I53 and I55).

Thus it may be seen that the electromotor Iii! will always beself-starting since it will always come to a position of rest with theswitch in a closed position thereof. This feature is of particularadvantage where the electromotor itself is connected and disconnectedfrom the main source of electric power by time clocks 0r similar deviceswhere, for example, it is associated with an advertising display whichis operated during the daytime and not operated at night, or vice versa,Another advantage of the self-starting feature permits the electromotorto be incorporated in advertising displays which may not be convenientlyreached after they have all been set up for the purpose of starting themby manual operation.

It may thus be seen that I have disclosed a novel and usefulelectromotor which may be constructed at low cost and which is capableof long periods of operation without attention or servicing.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to theexact details of construction shown and described, for obviousmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A self-starting electro-motor of the reciprocating type having meansfor connection to a current supply source comprising an electromagnet,an oscillator adapted to be actuated by the electro-magnet when theelectro-magnet is energized, an electrical switch including a movablemember having a closed position and a normally open position, and aswitch actuating member connected to said oscillator and adapted to movethe movable switch member to closed position upon movement of saidoscillator in one direction and to maintain said movable switch memberin the open position upon movement of said oscillator in the oppositedirection, said actuator being formed to arrest said oscillator in aposition corresponding to the closed switch position when current supplyto said eleet'ro-magnet is separately interrupted.

2. A self-starting electro-motor of the reciprocating type having meansfor connection to a current supply source comprising an electro-magnet,an oscillator adapted to be actuated by the electro-magnet when theelectro-magnet is energized, an electrical switch including a movablemember having a closed position and a normally open position, angularlydisposed edges at the end of said movable switch member, and a switchactuating member connected to said oscillator and adapted to move themovable switch member to closed position upon movement of saidoscillator in one direction and to maintain said movable switch memberin the open position upon movement of said oscillator in the oppositedirection, said actuating member being in the form of a cam havinginclined surfaces, the degree of angularity of one of said surfacesbeing such as to arrest the movement of said oscillator, said actuatorarresting said oscillator in a position corresponding to the closedswitch position when current supply to said electro-magnet is separatelyinterrupted.

3. An electro-motor comprising an electromagnet, an oscillator to beattracted by the electro-magnet when it is energized, a unitary switchincluding a movable member having a closed position and a normally openposition, said member having angularly disposed edges at its ends, and aswitch actuating member associated with the oscillator, said actuatorhaving inclined surfaces, one of said surfaces serving to arrestmovement of the oscillator.

ELI E. GREGORY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

